Wind Power News: Ontario
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Clarington an unwilling host to wind power; Council sends message to the Province over two planned wind farms
CLARINGTON — Last-minute presentations by a wind farm developer and a doctor convinced there are no ill health effects from properly-sited turbines were not enough to tip the scales against a council chamber packed with residents opposed to the farms. Clarington is officially an unwilling host to wind energy, after council passed the declaration at its Monday, May 13 meeting. In her first throne speech, Premier Kathleen Wynne said Ontario could benefit from industrial wind farms only if there were . . .
Group urges wind-turbine motion from Cobourg
With not enough yet known about their health effects and no meaningful property-setback standards yet in place, the Alliance for the Protection of the Northumberland Hills urged Cobourg council this week to pass a motion in opposition to wind turbines. Cougar Global Investments vice-chair Gwyer Moore and chartered accountant Tyne Bonebakker represented the group in making the plea. Moore explained that their focus is on the potential impact of industrial wind turbines in Northumberland, and that they hoped to make . . .
Kincardine asks for Armow project to be stalled, comment period re-opened
Kincardine is calling on the province to halt the process for the Armow Wind Project in light of new information. Council passed a motion at its meeting last Wednesday objecting to the closure of the public comment period for the proposed wind energy development after learning that NAV CANADA identified 43 out of the 99 turbine placements in the project layout that would impact the municipal airport. A consultant for the projects developers, Pattern Renewable Holdings and Samsung Renewable Energy, . . .
Wind critics optimistic about future lawsuits
A recent Superior Court decision in late April has possibly given homeowners an edge in fighting Industrial Wind Turbines in their area. That’s at least what lawyer Eric Gillespie and some Haldimand County residents believe. Gillespie represented the Wiggins in Clearview Township when the couple took wind company WPD Canada to court. They claimed that they listed their 48-acre property for sale, and when the wind project was announced, all interested potential buyers disappeared. In this case, the plaintiffs had . . .
More say on green energy projects; One anti-wind advocate doubtful real change will come
Changes are expected “very soon” to give municipalities more power regarding the location of green energy projects, but it doesn’t instill much hope in a local anti-wind advocate. “I don’t imagine it will take any (wind turbines) down that are there,” said Lisa Michaud, a member of Chatham-Kent Wind Action Group. The Thamesville-area woman joined the group after her family launched a lawsuit against Suncor Energy in 2011. The lawsuit claims they have suffered such symptoms as vertigo, nausea and . . .
Changes to green rules come too late, opponents say
Ontario changes are coming “very soon” that would give municipalities more control over green energy projects within their boundaries. But the head of at least one rural community worries that might be too little, too late for areas where wind turbines are an impending reality and longstanding annoyance. A working group of four Liberal cabinet ministers is reviewing ways to improve the consultation process for green energy projects such as wind and solar installations and including gas-fired power plants, confirmed . . .
There are still problems to resolve
There are a lot of problems yet to be resolved before one blade on any of the Industrial Wind Turbines (IWTs) should be allowed to turn. The vibrancy fund makes it impossible for council to make the IWT companies do anything or criticize anything that they wish to do. If this is not true (and I find that hard to believe) I would recommend the following: 1. The mayor and council hold a public meeting (I recommend a large venue . . .
Health study should be complete before province moves ahead, Plympton-Wyoming mayor says
Is the Ontario government trying to make peace with rural communities on the controversial issue of industrial wind turbines? It’s certainly a question being asked after the province recently announced plans to improve how large energy projects are sited in Ontario. In a recent letter, the Ministry of Energy asked the Ontario Power Authority and the Independent Electricity System Operator to help develop a new regional energy planning process. Under this new protocol, municipalities, the energy sector and other stakeholders . . .
Wind woes recounted
DEMORESTVILLE — Monica Elmes insists some of her quality of life has gone with the wind since a large wind turbine farm started tapping wind energy near her Ridgetown, Ont. farm three years ago. Elmes made the statements before the long-awaited human health phase of the Ostrander Point Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) appeal at Sophiasburgh town hall in Demorestville in Prince Edward County Thursday. The appeal panel — which was slated to be held both Wednesday and Thursday, but saw . . .
Ostrander Appeal turns to industrial wind turbine impacts upon humans
After many, many hours of expert testimony from dozens of witnesses, the Environmental Review Tribunal examining the decision to approve an industrial wind turbine project at Ostrander Point is shifting gears this week, turning from plants and animals to humans. For the better part of the last two months ERT panel members Robert Wright and Heather Gibbs have heard how nine 500-foot high turbines, the 40 truckloads of concrete needed to form the base to support each structure, the football . . .
